Possible 'Melo Destinations

According to ESPN, Yahoo, and everyone else, the Denver Nuggets relationship with Carmelo Anthony is beyond disrepair and the Nuggets will try to trade Anthony. The following is a list of teams who have the young talent, draft picks, and expiring contracts that the Nuggets will want back in exchange for Melo. Another caveat to any potential deal is that Melo would have to give his new team a guarantee that he will sign an extension with them. It's also important to note that if Denver does trade him, they would probably look into trading Chauncey Billups and go into a full scale rebuilding. In addition to the talent Denver would receive in exchange from Anthony, they would also get players for Billups.

Sacramento Kings: In any deal with the Kings, the Nuggets would most likely request that rookie DeMarcus Cousins is in the deal. Cousins is a highly-touted prospect out of Kentucky, and at only 19, has the makings of a future All-Star. In addition, the Kings have the expiring contract of Sam Dalembert and a number of SF to replace Anthony. A package of Cousins, Dalembert, and either Omri Casspi or Donte Green would likely be enough for the Nuggets to part with their franchise player.

The Kings would have a starting lineup of:

Tyreke Evans, Fransisco Garcia, Carmelo Anthony, Carl Landry, Jason Thompson. While this lineup might not propel them into contender status, Tyreke Evans has the makings of a franchise player and Landry and Thompson would represent a young, solid front court. Don't forget that the Kings also just drafted a high upside center in Hassan Whiteside.

The Nuggets would have a starting lineup of:

Chauncey Billups (likely to be traded to get playing time for Ty Lawson), Arron Afflalo, Omri Casspi/Donte Greene, Cousins, Nene. This version of a Carmelo trade would give the Nuggets a nice young nucleus to build around.

New Jersey Nets: Moving to NYC in 2 years, the Nets would be a very appealing destination for Anthony. That, and they have a lot of young talent to offer in return. A package of Derrick Favors, Terrence Williams, and Troy Murphy could interest the Nuggets. Favors is a young, freakishly athletic big man with a lot of potential (3rd pick in the draft) who would serve as a perfect replacement for Kenyon Martin once his contract expires. Terrence Williams is a wildly athletic SG who showed a lot of promise in his rookie season and looked fantastic in the summer league. Troy Murphy is a solid PF with range. Denver might look to waive or move him in order to give Favors ample playing time to develop.

With this trade, the Nets would have a starting lineup of Devin Harris, Anthony Morrow, Carmelo Anthony, Sean May, and Brook Lopez. They would still have a glaring whole at PF, but with Harris at PG and Brook Lopez at C, the Nets would definitely be in the upper-echelon of the Eastern Conference.

Tune in tomorrow to see what the Hawks, Rockets, and Knicks could offer in exchange for Carmelo.